Resource (Windows)

In Microsoft Windows, a resource is an identifiable, read-only chunk of data embedded in an executable file—specifically a PE file. Files that contain resources include: EXE, DLL, CPL, SCR, SYS and MUI files. The Windows API provides a computer program access to resources.

In Microsoft Windows, a resource is an identifiable, read-only chunk of data embedded in an executable file—specifically a PE file. Files that contain resources include: EXE, DLL, CPL, SCR, SYS and MUI files. The Windows API provides a computer program access to resources.

Types

Each resource has a type and a name, both being either numeric identifiers or strings. Windows has a set of predefined resource types: Cursor and animated cursor Icon Bitmap Dialog box template Font HTML document String and message template Version data Manifest data arbitrary (binary) data The programmer can also define custom data types.

Usage

The icon that Windows displays for an executable program file is the first icon resource in the file. If the file has no icon resources, a standard icon is displayed. File Explorer displays aspects of file's version resource in the Version tab of a file's properties. To support internationalization and localization a resource is associated with a natural language. An application can be internationalized by associating the same identifier to resources that have the same content but localized for different languages. Via Multilingual User Interface, Windows can be set up to use the resource for a selected language. Editors such as Resource Hacker or Resource Tuner are available that can modify resources embedded in EXE or DLL files. These are typically used to translate all strings of an application to another language, or to modify its icons and bitmaps accordingly.

References

External links

MSDN: Windows Resource Files Guide MSDN: Better Resource File Guide with reference

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